The 3-Tier Paradigm

This series of blogs are excerpts from Dr. Linville’s yet to be released book.  They explain and outline the 3-Tier Paradigm introduced in his book.  The 3-Tier Paradigm is the organizational structure upon which Dr. Linville’s series of Sports Outreach Ministry books are based and serves as the guiding light for how the association of Church Sports & Recreation Ministries (CSRM) executes its equipping of local churches. This blog explains the Core Values component of the 3-Tier Paradigm and how they empower it.

Summary of CSRM’s 3-Tier Paradigm

As stated before CSRM exists to: “equip local churches to change lives through sports outreach.”  The equipping is designed to mobilize, enable and empower churches for evangelistic-disciplemaking.  The previous blogs outlined Levels 1-3 of the 3-Tier Paradigm.  Level #1 described the “Why” of Local Church Sports Outreach; Level #2 outlined the “Where, When and With Whom” of Local Church Sports Outreach; and Level #3 the “What” of Local Church Sports Outreach.  This blog describes the “Core Values” of the 3-Tier Paradigm which is the “How” of Local Church Sports Outreach.  The “How” of a Sports Outreach may well be the most important part of “What” the Sports Ministry does.

Understanding the “How” of Sports Outreach

Most people who participate in a local church’s Sports Outreach Ministry won’t remember the scores of many, if any, of the games they played in.  They will however, remember “How” they felt and “How” they were treated.  The truth is, Sports Ministers cannot guarantee each and every team will win every game.  Not even Jesus Christ could perform that miracle!   Thankfully, however, they can create an atmosphere that communicates what the church believes in and stands for.  Regardless of “What” a local church Sports Outreach does, the “How” it does it, should include such core values as: excellence; integrity, consistency, compassion, inclusiveness, honesty and most of all, love.

The Core Values of a Local Church Sports Outreach may well be the most important aspect of the entire operation of a Sports Ministry because it is through “How” the ministry is conducted that the gospel of Jesus Christ is seen, felt, observed and experienced.  The two phrases that best encapsulate the “How” of Local Church Sports Outreach have always been: “Jesus is caught more than taught,” and “people are most open to the gospel when having fun.” 

The Key Question

“How’s” your Sports Outreach doing?  Have you created an atmosphere of fun?  Have you fostered a culture where the gospel is caught? 

Next week’s blog will unpack the vital relevance of the “3-Tier Paradigm” by providing insight into two of the most vital issues confronting the Sports Outreach Movement: a) Sunday Sport; and b) Gender Issues.

This blog is an excerpt from Dr. Linville's book Christmanship and another yet to be released book.  All rights reserved.  For any reproduction right, including copying, computer reproduction, etc. contact:

Dr. Greg Linville at CSRM International C/O The World Outreach Center 5350 Broadmoor Circle N. w. Canton, Ohio – USA 44709 or glinville@csrm.org

Other blogs and articles on Local Church Sports, sports theology and ethics written by Dr. Greg Linville are archived at: www.csrm.org

The 3-Tier Paradigm

This series of blogs are excerpts from Dr. Linville’s yet to be released book.  They explain and outline the 3-Tier Paradigm introduced in his book.  The 3-Tier Paradigm is the organizational structure upon which Dr. Linville’s series of Sports Outreach Ministry books are based and serves as the guiding light for how the association of Church Sports & Recreation Ministries (CSRM) executes its equipping of local churches. This blog explains the Level #3 – Methodological Models part of the 3-Tier Paradigm 

Level #3 Methodological Models: The What we do

Once a church has determined the Why, Where, When and With Whom for their Sports, Recreation and Fitness Outreach Ministries, they are then able to determine the What they are to do.  What a church does is often the running of programs.  Running “programs” has fallen into disfavor, and understandably so, but, missiologically-based programs will never fall out of favor!  The difference can be seen in the following…

Application of Level #3 Methodological Models in Local Church Sports, Recreation and Fitness Outreach Ministries

If a congregation finds itself geographically in a suburban residential area made up of young families or an urban housing development populated by many latch-key kids, a relevant Level #2 With Whom strategy would be to employ a Level #3 Methodological Model of youth sports.  This strategic and relevant missiological activity would effectively meet many of the needs of the community the congregation finds itself located, and provide the church with a significant ongoing method for reaching the community for Christ.

Conversely, if a local church is located in an industrial or civic location with offices and other work places for blue and white collar employees and executives, the relevant Level #2 missiological strategy to provide fitness facilities and opportunities, and/or health services, for the pre- and post-work or lunch-break crowd often proves both effective outreach and an efficient utilization of resources for gospel impact.

Strategies are the overarching Philosophical Principles a local church envisions for their sports outreach.  These are based upon both Biblically-based wisdom and strategic comprehension of the geographic and demographic situation the church finds itself.  Every church is positioned to reach its community and will be most effective when its Methodological Models are based in well researched and conceived Philosophical Principles.

Conversely, a church with most of its membership exceeding the age of 50 will find golf and bowling leagues to be much more effective than young adult softball or basketball outreaches.  The main reason for this has to do with relationships.  Church growth, which assumes evangelistic-disciplemaking, is based upon relational outreach.  If the church offers a 20-something basketball league for young men but none of the church men play in the league, no relationships are built and thus very little evangelism actually takes place…at least any evangelism that occurs won’t translate into that church growing.  It must be noted however, this church would be wise to start sports outreach for children which parents and grandparents can be involved in as coaches, referees and league directors for the purpose of building relationship with the next generation.  Otherwise, this church has no future, only a present.

It becomes apparent, effective Level #3 Methodological Models are greatly dependent on understanding one’s community and how the local congregation is positioned to reach it. Effective and efficient Level #3 Methodological Model programs are only possible when they are strategically relevant as conceived of through Biblically-based Level #2 Philosophical Principles. 

Next week’s blog will discuss the “Core Values” that undergird the What of local church Sports Outreach.

This blog is an excerpt from Dr. Linville's book Christmanship and a yet to be released book.  All rights reserved.  For any reproduction right, including copying, computer reproduction, etc. contact:

Dr. Greg Linville at CSRM International C/O The World Outreach Center 5350 Broadmoor Circle N. w. Canton, Ohio – USA 44709 or glinville@csrm.org

Other blogs and articles on Local Church Sports, sports theology and ethics written by Dr. Greg Linville are archived at: www.csrm.org

The 3-Tier Paradigm

This series of blogs are excerpts from Dr. Linville’s yet to be released book.  They explain and outline the 3-Tier Paradigm introduced in his book.  The 3-Tier Paradigm is the organizational structure upon which Dr. Linville’s series of Sports Outreach Ministry books are based and serves as the guiding light for how the association of Church Sports & Recreation Ministries (CSRM) executes its equipping of local churches. This blog explains the Level #2 – Philosophical Principles part of the 3-Tier Paradigm.

 

1. Level #2 Philosophical Principles: The When, Where, with Whom, we do What we do
   
   

Theological Truths are considered Level #1 because of necessary primacy of basing a local church sports and recreation ministry on Christo-centric ministerial and ethical foundations.  This primacy continues in Level #2 Philosophical Principles but only if such principles are biblically-based.  Thus, biblically-based Philosophical Principles are differentiated from other philosophies in the fact they are theistically-founded, as opposed to being based upon humanistically-conceptualized views or priorities.

Whereas, Level #1 Theological Truths provide the Why of local church sports ministry, Level #2 Philosophical Principles provide the driving force behind When, Where and With Whom churches direct and conduct their sports and recreational outreaches.

When, has to do with, and is derived from, two Level #1 Theological Truths: a) Sabbath and Lord’s Day; and b) Ecclesiology (the theology of The Church) as it relates to the When of traditional congregational worship services.  However, When, just as often has to do with determining the right time of the year, month, week and/or day, based in Biblically-based Philosophical Principles concerning how to plan and implement sports outreach activities which best exemplifies concern, sensitivity and love in regards to individual and family schedules, safety and well-being.

Where refers to facilities that are safe, winsome, available and functional.  Biblical principles such as ensuring participant’s safety and over all well-being, help Sports and Rec Ministers determine if the facilities they own, lease, rent or borrow, create a warm and engaging atmosphere which provides an overall excellent and positive experience.  Where also takes into consideration such things as easy connectivity for families during sports ministry activities and also in terms of driving time to and from a facility.

With Whom, is based on the biblical principle of mission.  A key component of Missiology (the theology of evangelism and missions) is that The Church is commanded to go and “make disciples.”  Paul outlines this programmatic principle in 1 Corinthians when he lays out the philosophy: “I became all things to all people…”[1]  In essence, this passage exhorts Christians to understand there are differences between various people groups and each will need to be reached through different Methodological Models based on the biblically-based Philosophical Principle of “becoming all things.” With Whom, has to do with the identification of a local congregation’s geographic and demographic positioning...and thus, whom are they positioned to most effectively reach.  Once a congregation recognizes who they are to serve and minister to, they will be better able to envision relevant strategies of outreach, based upon biblically-based philosophies.

1. Application of Level #2 Philosophical Principles in Local Church Sports, Recreation and Fitness Outreach Ministries
   
   

Therefore, Level #2 Philosophical Principles of local church sports, recreation and fitness ministries are based upon Principles of When, Where and With Whom as understood and shaped by four overarching biblical concepts summarized in the 4-Fold Evaluation Rubric.  The 4 component parts of the the Rubric for successful sports outreach consists of endeavors that are: Strategic, Relevant, Effective and Efficient; and they form the basis from which emerge Level #3 Methodological Models.

Unfortunately, most sports, recreation and fitness ministries start with the What without ever considering the need to base their What on Why or Where, When and With Whom.  This is why many of the current models don’t meet the 4-Fold Evaluation Rubric.

 

Next week’s blog will discuss the Level #3 Methodological Models of the 3-Tier Paradigm.

 

This blog is an excerpt from Dr. Linville's book Christmanship and a yet to be released book.  All rights reserved.  For any reproduction right, including copying, computer reproduction, etc. contact:

Dr. Greg Linville at CSRM International C/O The World Outreach Center 5350 Broadmoor Circle N. w. Canton, Ohio – USA 44709 or glinville@csrm.org

 

Other blogs and articles on Local Church Sports, sports theology and ethics written by Dr. Greg Linville are archived at: www.csrm.org


[1] I Corinthians 9.19-23.

The 3-Tier Paradigm

This series of blogs are excerpts from Dr. Linville’s yet to be released book.  They explain and outline the 3-Tier Paradigm introduced in his book.  The 3-Tier Paradigm is the organizational structure upon which Dr. Linville’s series of Sports Outreach Ministry books are based and serves as the guiding light for how the association of Church Sports & Recreation Ministries (CSRM) executes its equipping of local churches. This blog explains the Level #1 – Theological Truths part of the 3-Tier Paradigm

1. Explaining the 3-Tier Paradigm
   
   

The three levels of the 3-Tier Paradigm are separate and yet inter-dependent and inter-related.  Each level should be comprehended as being a distinctive body of thoughts and concepts, yet, within a unified and whole organizational structure.  Thus the 3-Tier Paradigm should be understood as an overarching, organizational structure from which to envision and build a missional local church sports outreach with each level building upon and depending upon the other(s).[1]  Each level, and how it fits into the overall 3-Tier Paradigm, can be best understood after each is considered separately.

1. Level #1 Theological Truths: Why we do What we do.
   
   

Theological Truths provide the foundation for Local Church Sports Outreach, its parameters and its ethical framework.  Theological Truths answer the basic question of Why ministries do What they do, and also provide the ethical guidelines for What they do.

1. The Why question
   
   

The Why question, is primarily answered through the foundational theological tenet of redemption.  God is in the business of redeeming humankind to Himself.  Jesus said: “I came to seek and save the lost.”[2]  In addition, Paul writes, Christians are called and empowered to join God in those redemptive activities by being His “ambassadors.”[3]  Thus the ultimate theological foundation for Local Church Sports Outreach Ministry is to redeem all men, women and children, by His followers going “into all the world to make disciples.”[4]

Some within the Body of Christ rightfully state the Church needs to be concerned and involved in efforts based upon other theological truths such as peace, justice and mercy but even the ultimate goal of peace and justice efforts is based upon redemptive activities and the ultimate goal of disciplemaking.  This statement should not be misconstrued in any way to lessen the importance of enhancing temporal life on earth but rather it serves as a reminder to focus on keeping the “main thing the main thing.”  Furthermore, the redemption of culture by bringing about peace, justice and mercy will only be attained by and through individuals living in the culture who have been “redeemed by Christ,” empowered by the Holy Spirit and living biblical lifestyles that honor and glorify the Father.

Therefore, the most important role of the Level #1 tier is to answer the Why question.  Why does local church Sports Ministries do What they do?  The foundational theological answer is: redemption; redemption through evangelistic-disciplemaking.  This along with other foundational Level #1 Theological Truths will be discussed throughout this book.[5]

1. Ethical Foundations
   
   

Theological Truths also provide the foundation for the ethical foundations of local church sports, recreational and fitness ministry.

There’s an old saying in sports outreach circles: “Christ is more caught than taught.”  It is to this end, local church sports outreach ministries need to consider the ethical foundations of What they do.  If the overall purpose of the sports and recreation outreaches is redemption, then envisioning, planning for and implementing the ministry upon loving Theological Truths is vital.  Participants in a local church sport or recreational activity may not remember the final score of all their games but they will remember how they were treated and how they felt.  One of the major goals of this series of blogs is to equip and mobilize local churches with the concepts to create environments in which Jesus Christ is “caught.”  Ethics are the foundation for this environment and Christo-centric ethics are based in Theological Truth.[6]

1. Application of Level#1 Theological Truths in Local Church Sports, Recreation and Fitness Outreach Ministries
   
   

Most local church sports ministries assume they are solidly based in appropriate theological foundations because they are engaged in evangelism and/or discipleship efforts.  In a vague way their endeavors are indeed rooted in proper theology but unless church leaders do the hard work of comprehending a number of Theological Truths they will fall short of truly conceptualizing and implementing a Sports Outreach Ministry that can meet the 4-Fold Evaluation Rubric (strategic, relevant, effective and efficient outreach) that fulfills the goals of evangelistic-disciplemaking.

Congregations desiring to base their Level #3 Methodological Models in Level #1 Theological Truths need to understand what these truths are, and more importantly, how they are to shape their sports and fitness outreaches.  These truths include such theological categories as ecclesiology, missiology and soteriology as well as other issues needing theological foundations such as worship, Lord’s Day principles, competition and others.[7]

Why we do, What we do, begins with Theological Truths which serve to shape the biblically-based Philosophical Principles…

Next week’s blog will explain the second part of  the “3-Tier Paradigm” – Level #2 – Biblically-based, Philosophical Principles.

This blog is an excerpt from Dr. Linville's book Christmanship and a yet to be released book.  All rights reserved.  For any reproduction right, including copying, computer reproduction, etc. contact:

Dr. Greg Linville at CSRM International C/O The World Outreach Center 5350 Broadmoor Circle N. w. Canton, Ohio – USA 44709 or glinville@csrm.org  

Other blogs and articles on Local Church Sports, sports theology and ethics written by Dr. Greg Linville are archived at: www.csrm.org

[1] CSRM’s 3-Tier Paradigm has implications beyond local church sports and can serve as a model for any missional ministry.  In addition, all Bible Colleges, Universities and Seminaries are at their best when training from a 3-Tier Paradigm.

[2] Luke 19.10

[3] 2 Corinthians 5.20

[4] Matthew 28.19f

[5] I wrote much of the Level #1 Theological Truths foundation in my book “Christmanship: A Theology of Competition and Sport.”

[6] These ethics are addressed in my book Christmanship and in my yet to be published book of which this blog is an excerpt.

[7] Again, these theological foundations are also dealt with in my two books.